UFCThe Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts organization, recognized as the largest MMA promotion in the world. The UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada and is owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC. This promotion is responsible for solidifying the sport's postion in the history-books.
UFC is currently undergoing a remarkable surge in popularity, along with greater mainstream media coverage. UFC programming can now be seen on FOX, FX, and FUEL TV in the United States, as well as in 35 other countries worldwide.

Page: Is who I figured they would give the fight to. But he was schulded to fight Thiago at the time, but its not like that haven't changed fights before.

Not to mention they actually asked Rampage if he wanted it and he declined for the time being.

The UFC didn't try to fast track Jones to a title shot. They brought him up progressivly. A #1 contender injury, a decline from the next guy...and Jones gets the shot. The UFC would have given him Rampage/Machida/Forrest if Rashad never was injured.

Not to mention they actually asked Rampage if he wanted it and he declined for the time being.

The UFC didn't try to fast track Jones to a title shot. They brought him up progressivly. A #1 contender injury, a decline from the next guy...and Jones gets the shot. The UFC would have given him Rampage/Machida/Forrest if Rashad never was injured.

Things happen.

I completely forgot they ask Rampage. This is so true though. After beating Bader, he was still one quality win away, but after a series of unfourante events, he was awarded the shot. I'm actually more excited for this fight that some of match-ups they could have made instead.

There are more exceptions than that, to be honest some right mugs have made it thought TUF and unfortunately thanks to the popularity of the show the divisions keep filling up more and more with these second rate fighters, this is part of the reason I think some fighters like GSP for example, Anderson Silva hard proving to be so dominant because the UFC rely s to much on TUF and no little on hunting the circuit for real talent to fill its ranks.

For me they run TUF way to often and its having a downside effect on the quality been listed in the UFC, pretty soon there will be nothing left to compete in the UFC other than "TUF Trash"

I don't agree. So you are saying part of the reason GSP and Anderson may be so dominant is because of TUF? What TUF contestants do they fight? Kos? Who has proven to be good at what he does.

Most of the TUF fighters that are given a chance get cut after a loss or 2 and make up free card prelims.

The UFC can't just go sign everyone. They have had plenty of guys who are coming up that had nothing to do with TUF. Jon Jones, Phil Davis, Cain was basically a UFC product after a few pro fights, Junior Dos Santos, Fitch,...all of these guys weren't bought out in pride or stolen from another organization...the UFC found them and brought them along.

Then go into the middle teir of guys and it is hardly a bunch of TUF dudes. Palhares, Guillard, Story, Stun Gun and so on...all guys the UFC had searched and scouted as guys who have potential.

So really I don;t agree at all. They give too many TUF losers a chance, but they usually get cut. And they hardly make up a good chunk of the divisions.

Well not to start a huge arguement about this Lesnar did have MMA fights before making it into the UFC.

*BUT*

I suppose that's true, how is it then that I see people saying that a fighter like Jon "Bones" Jones is not proven? I mean he has shown domination in almost all of his bouts. I just don't understand the logic in some people's arguements.

In JBJ's case, I don't think he's fought a good mix of diverse, top level fighters, and if he just decisioned them he wouldn't be getting all the hype. The reason he does get (and deserve) the hype is that the top guys he's fought looked like they had no chance from the opening bell - JBJ dominated them like they were hacks.

Yeah, JBJ has faced some good wrestlers and that's about it. He hasn't faced a lot of fighters with great striking along with great takedown defense or good ground defense. I think that JBJ should have faced a fighter like Machida or Rampage to see how good he REALLY is. Yes he is good, he is definitely in my eyes the most talented fighter to step into the octagon. Yes that is a big statement, the fact is no one has done MMA for maybe 2 years and fights for a world championship. Jon Jones is a rare fighter, however, even though he has faced some good fighters and dominated them. He never once faced a fighter with the versatility of the elite fighters in the UFC Light heavyweight division. I'm not saying he has not proven himself to be a great fighter, but he has not proven himself to be a championship fighter.

I don't agree. So you are saying part of the reason GSP and Anderson may be so dominant is because of TUF? What TUF contestants do they fight? Kos? Who has proven to be good at what he does.

Most of the TUF fighters that are given a chance get cut after a loss or 2 and make up free card prelims.

The UFC can't just go sign everyone. They have had plenty of guys who are coming up that had nothing to do with TUF. Jon Jones, Phil Davis, Cain was basically a UFC product after a few pro fights, Junior Dos Santos, Fitch,...all of these guys weren't bought out in pride or stolen from another organization...the UFC found them and brought them along.

Then go into the middle teir of guys and it is hardly a bunch of TUF dudes. Palhares, Guillard, Story, Stun Gun and so on...all guys the UFC had searched and scouted as guys who have potential.

So really I don;t agree at all. They give too many TUF losers a chance, but they usually get cut. And they hardly make up a good chunk of the divisions.

I completely agree with what you said. Probally 50% of the guys who actually make in to the UFC and are not cut after the season, are cut after a loss or two there after. To be honest there are a few seasons where every one from the show have been cut.

One middle teir guys that you mentioned, Melvion Guillard, was actually apart of TUF season 2. But he didn't make must buzz on the show, and I too sometimes forget he was a TUF fighter.

Brock has 1 fight before the UFC... against a guy with a record of 2-5... thats pretty unproven in the sport.

Jones is definitely proven though - beating the likes of Matyushenko and Bonnar may be unimpressive to some armchair fans but i think most appreciate that it takes a genuinely talented fighter to do it.

That's totally true, Matyushenko is a seasoned veteran, Bonnar is a tough day out for most fighters and Jones made him look like an amateur and lets not forget his total destruction of Brandon Vera, he's proven he belongs to me.

I don't agree. So you are saying part of the reason GSP and Anderson may be so dominant is because of TUF? What TUF contestants do they fight? Kos? Who has proven to be good at what he does.

Most of the TUF fighters that are given a chance get cut after a loss or 2 and make up free card prelims.

The UFC can't just go sign everyone. They have had plenty of guys who are coming up that had nothing to do with TUF. Jon Jones, Phil Davis, Cain was basically a UFC product after a few pro fights, Junior Dos Santos, Fitch,...all of these guys weren't bought out in pride or stolen from another organization...the UFC found them and brought them along.

Then go into the middle teir of guys and it is hardly a bunch of TUF dudes. Palhares, Guillard, Story, Stun Gun and so on...all guys the UFC had searched and scouted as guys who have potential.

So really I don;t agree at all. They give too many TUF losers a chance, but they usually get cut. And they hardly make up a good chunk of the divisions.

One middle teir guys that you mentioned, Melvion Guillard, was actually apart of TUF season 2. But he didn't make must buzz on the show, and I too sometimes forget he was a TUF fighter.

Yea totally forgot about him on the show.

Basically I think they give too many terrible TUF fighters a chance (see Roop or Dent). But overall the ones who stay in teh UFC mostly have proven their worth. The Florian's, Diego's, Koscheck's, Rashad's, Leban's...Not all TUF winners are supposed to be some great champion. But many that stay are competitive fighters or even some title holders.

The best way of building a roster is adding quality guys who are impressive against other vet fighters in other organizations. And I believe the UFC does a good job at that. If they didn't their roster wouldn't be as good as it is. They constantly bring in new prospects that have all the potential in the world.

A clear example is Oliveria vs. Escudero. Efrain was a TUF winner. He lost to Oliveria who was an undefeated prospect...making it only 1 loss in a row and 1-2 over his last 3...the other loss to Dunham. In return the TUF winner gets cut while Oliveria goes on to get a guy like Jim Miller next.